The Impossible Kid (1982) **1/2

The Impossible Kid (1982), the sequel to For Y'ur Height Only (1981), starring Weng Weng, the shortest adult actor (at 2' 9") in a leading role, is a Filipino spy/action spoof of the James Bond film series. It's not a very good film, but it's certainly an experience.

The way females fawn over Agent 00, he should have been called The Irresistible Kid. In addition to women throwing themselves at the Interpol agent every chance they get, TIK is filled with more kicks to the crotch (Agent 00's signature move) than perhaps any other film, impressive yet hilarious stunts (all performed by Weng Weng himself), uncomfortably long maniacal laughing, an endless supply of henchmen that would make a Bond villain blush, and an obvious Henry Mancini/Pink Panther theme rip-off song. Having watched the English dub, I'm curious how the film would play in its original language.

It's a strange thing to watch a movie like this in 2019, where the whole film feels like a punchline, based around the diminutive stature of its star. On one hand—good for Weng Weng for receiving a level of fame and hopefully having a good time at it, during his brief life. On the other, I can't help but feel guilty laughing at some of the gags.

The Impossible Kid is certainly funny (at times) but, as mentioned earlier, it's not very good. The direction is poor, I could barely make out the plot, there are many strange awkward pauses in dialogue, and the editing is sloppy. It truly is an exploitation film, one whose entire reason for existence hinges on a one note joke. But it feels like a rite of passage viewing for those that like weird cinema.


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